Photos: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Inside the university's old courtyard
Your local guide
Beatriz Almeida
View profile
Highlights
- A courtyard at the oldest university
- Black capes and pre-exam ritual
- Manueline stonework around a chapel door
- An organ described, not filmed
- Student tradition explained on the stone
About this tour
This session opens in the old courtyard at the heart of the University of Coimbra, the oldest in the Portuguese-speaking world, before reaching the doorway of its Manueline chapel. Beatriz explains why students still gather in the courtyard in black capes before exams. The chapel stop covers the Baroque organ inside, described from the doorway rather than filmed directly.
Beatriz checks the picture holds steady in the open courtyard before moving to the chapel entrance, where the light changes and she adjusts pace accordingly. She takes questions on student traditions as readily as on the architecture itself. A short note on the courtyard's ceremonies follows the call.
This suits a first session on the university for anyone unfamiliar with Coimbra's academic traditions. It also works well as an introduction before a closer look at the library.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Coimbra before heading out.
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Pátio das Escolas 21 min
The camera opens on the wide stone courtyard at the heart of the oldest university in the Portuguese-speaking world, a statue of King João III at its centre. Beatriz explains why students still gather here before exams in their black capes.
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Capela de São Miguel, from the doorway 21 min
At the chapel entrance, Beatriz points out the Manueline stonework framing the door and describes the Baroque organ inside, its pipework climbing the back wall, without being able to film the interior itself.
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Your questions 9 min
Time to ask anything about Coimbra: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 4 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Chanfana (slow-cooked goat in wine) and Alta, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Lisbon time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 10 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Coimbra, showing you Pátio das Escolas and Capela de São Miguel, from the doorway live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I show you the university live with my phone.
Times shown in Lisbon time (WET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Tue 27 Oct · 10 seats left From 24,00 €
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